Tips for new foster please

alexgirl73 · 21-10-2006, 02:00 PM

Love the name BT. I'm so glad that this little one has come to you, can't think of anyone better. I'm sure she'll soon be bounding about quite happily under your care. Looking froward to seeing more pics and being kept updated on her progress.

Booktigger · 21-10-2006, 05:43 PM

The rescue picked her name. I Can think of loads of people with more experience than me, but we can't really farm her off to a different rescue, so she is stuck with me. Has been a good day though, she has come out of the carrier!! I was on the phone to the rescue, and was trying to get Molly to play, and as mine have bells on their collars, she could hear her, and peeked out. She ended up coming out completely and sitting looking at her, but then Molly spotted her and growled and spat, despite being the other side of the room!!! She didn't really bother with the scratch post, and she was too close to the carrier and I was too far away to risk trying to take it out - at this rate I will be pulling it apart so she can't hide as much!! they have treats for tea though!! Tiger really isn't happy with the cage, she is back to being spitty and lashing out, and is spending most of her time in the cat room, bless her.

Booktigger · 22-10-2006, 11:47 AM

Another bad night with her - when the lights go off, she starts crying, bless her. I managed to get the carrier out of the cage last night which could have made her worse. Ended up going sleeping on the front room floor at 4am to see if it helped, but it didn't really. Tried covering the cage completely, uncovering the cage, night light, and nothing seems to work with her. Left her at 8am to go back to bed, and when I Woke up at 10, she was quiet - but by the time I had got downstairs to feed her she wasn't. So I was really naughty and put my hand in and stroked her to see if that helped any, which it didn't, but she did allow it without trying to run away. Am going to see if my sis has a spare bedside light, to see if that helps, as I Can't leave my front room light on due to an open plan house. If anyone has any other tips, please share!!

Booktigger · 22-10-2006, 05:15 PM

After I finished on here, I went and gave her another stroke - she doesn't seem to enjoy it, but as long as she is on the platform of the activity thing, she will accept it. Then I noticed she hadn't eaten much, so I hand fed her some ham. I think that as she is allowing fusses and eating from me so quickly, a lot of the work has already been done while she is in the rescue, so it shouldn't be that hard to just do that final bit with her. She really hates being on her own though, makes me wonder what she was like when she was left in the cattery. Have managed to get some pics of her - as you can see from one of htem, she now has some cuddly things in there - she has very briefly patted one of them,the one she has her chin on in the other pic.

alexgirl73 · 22-10-2006, 05:19 PM

Oh BT what a sweetie she is. Har dto know what to do with her though. Have you tried putting a piece of your worn clothing in with her to get her used to your scent? Or what about a cuddly toy to snuggle up to! I know Teddy really liked that when we brought him home and he had to be quarantined in the kitchen. Don't know what else to suggest.

dinahsmum · 22-10-2006, 05:27 PM

Do you think that a radio playing quietly on a speech station (BBC Radio4?) might help her get used to humans a little? When you're not with her maybe?

Booktigger · 22-10-2006, 06:29 PM

Haven't thought of a piece of clothing yet, will wear an old nightie tonight and pop that in tomorrow. DM - there is a radio playing all the time - I found Radio 4 at some point today, but we seem to be on 5 Live now!! it picks up a signal fine in my cat room, but not in the front room.
I have been really naughty tonight though, someone who does rescue assured me that if she would allow fussing to do it - when I went to give her her tea, I actually picked her up, and laid on the floor to put her on my chest/stomach, she was more curious about the rest of the room, but I did get her purring!! it made me realise just how thin she is though, her hips, spine and ribs are quite bony, so I have added cat milk to her wet food and water, and will be giving her lots of titbits - have ham and NAture's menu treats at the moment.

alexgirl73 · 22-10-2006, 06:48 PM

i dont think that counts as being naughty, the poor wee thing obviously needs some comfort, and thats all you were doing.

Booktigger · 22-10-2006, 07:00 PM

WEll, it isn't following any of the normal rules for socialising kittens - but then she isn't feral - she was born in the wild, but has been with us since the end of August, and has been around cats and humans, so this is really just the final part, with a lot of one on one interaction. She doesn't seem to really know how to play, and doesn't have a big appetite. It really is sad seeing such tiny kittens not doing normal things - when I was at the rescue, we had 4 manic 9 week olds, and she just looked surprised when they were running round and tried to get her involved.

dandysmom · 22-10-2006, 07:56 PM

You're going with your heart, not the rule book, and sounds as if it's working to me...poor wee thing just isn't used to cuddling and loving. Sure she'll adjust just fine with your regimen!

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